Tracy McGrady (Part 3)

The 2005–06 NBA season proved to be challenging for Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets, as McGrady's playing time was limited due to injuries. He appeared in only 47 games throughout the season, facing setbacks primarily caused by back spasms. McGrady's health struggles reached a critical point in January when he had to be carried off the court on a stretcher due to a severe flare-up of his back issues.
Despite these challenges, McGrady managed to showcase his talent during the All-Star Game, which was held in Houston that year. In front of his home crowd, McGrady delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 36 points in just 27 minutes of play. However, his contributions weren't enough to overcome the team's overall struggles.
For the 2005–06 season, McGrady averaged 24.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, demonstrating his scoring prowess and versatility on the court. However, his frequent absences due to injury ultimately impacted the Rockets' performance, and they failed to qualify for the playoffs that year.


During the early stages of the 2006–07 NBA season, Tracy McGrady encountered another setback, missing seven games due to recurring back spasms. Realizing the impact of his injury on his speed and explosiveness, McGrady sought medical treatment to address the issue. Additionally, the emergence of Yao Ming as a dominant force on the court led to McGrady assuming a temporary role as the team's secondary scoring option.
Despite these challenges, McGrady maintained impressive individual statistics for the season, averaging 24.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. As the playoffs approached, the pressure mounted on McGrady to lead the Houston Rockets to success in the postseason. Addressing the expectations placed upon him, McGrady acknowledged the responsibility, stating, "If we don't get out of the first round, it's on me!"


In the opening round of the playoffs, the Rockets faced the Utah Jazz in a closely contested series. Despite McGrady's efforts, the Rockets were ultimately eliminated in seven games. Following the Game 7 defeat, McGrady expressed his disappointment and frustration, acknowledging his efforts while grappling with the outcome of the series.


In the 2007–08 NBA season, the Houston Rockets embarked on a remarkable 22-game winning streak, which at the time stood as the second-longest streak in NBA history. Notably, this impressive run occurred despite the absence of Yao Ming due to injury. Tracy McGrady, buoyed by the team's success, expressed confidence in his teammates, emphasizing his newfound trust in their abilities.
As the Rockets continued their winning streak, McGrady's optimism grew, acknowledging the cohesion and reliability of his teammates. He remarked, "I haven't had this kind of trust in my teammates before," highlighting the collective effort driving the team's success.


Despite their remarkable regular-season performance, the Rockets entered the playoffs as the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Paired once again against the Utah Jazz in the first round, McGrady faced the challenge of leading his team while nursing shoulder and knee injuries. McGrady's determination to compete saw him endure pain-killing injections and treatments to alleviate discomfort.
In the playoff series against the Jazz, McGrady delivered a standout performance in the decisive Game 6, tallying 40 points and 10 rebounds. However, despite his efforts, the Rockets fell short, and the Jazz emerged victorious, ending Houston's postseason run in six games.


After the disappointing loss to the Utah Jazz, Tracy McGrady underwent arthroscopic surgery on both his left shoulder and left knee. This procedure aimed to address lingering issues and improve his physical condition for the upcoming season.
However, McGrady's return to action was hindered by setbacks, including a prolonged recovery period and ongoing discomfort in his knee. Early in the 2008–09 NBA season, he missed a significant portion of games, including a two-week absence in January due to his knee not being fully healed from the offseason surgery.


Despite efforts to manage his injuries, McGrady's knee troubles persisted, leading to a crucial decision in February. On February 24, he underwent microfracture surgery in Chicago, a procedure known for its lengthy recovery process. As a result, McGrady was sidelined for the remainder of the season.
By the time of his surgery, McGrady's on-court contributions had declined, with his statistical averages dropping to 15.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Despite his absence, the Houston Rockets managed to qualify for the playoffs and even advanced to the second round. In a surprising turn of events, they pushed the eventual NBA champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, to a competitive seven-game series, showcasing the team's resilience in McGrady's absence.


Tracy McGrady represented the United States in the FIBA Americas Championship 2003 held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In a game against Venezuela on August 22, McGrady showcased his scoring prowess by leading the American team with 16 points in a convincing 98–69 victory.
However, McGrady was sidelined for the August 26 game due to a back injury, limiting his participation in the tournament. Despite his absence, the United States performed well and secured a spot in the 2004 Olympic Games with a decisive 87–71 win over Puerto Rico on August 30.


During the tournament, McGrady found himself embroiled in an altercation with Puerto Rico's Eddie Casiano, which escalated into a situation where fans threw drinks and debris onto the court. Despite the incident, the United States went on to advance to the gold medal game and emerged victorious, finishing the tournament with a perfect 10–0 record.
Throughout the FIBA Americas Championship 2003, McGrady contributed significantly to the team's success, averaging 12.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. His impressive shooting percentages of 54.4 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from beyond the arc highlighted his efficiency and scoring ability on the international stage.

References

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